REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON JOINT COMMUNIQUE
Mr Chairman
I have the honour to submit the following report on the meeting of the Committee on Joint Communiqué:
2 The Committee on Joint Communiqué met on 5 August 2009 with Col. Apiwan Wiriyachai and Mr Anusart Suwanmongkol as Chairman and Rapporteur, respectively, of the Committee. The following parliamentarians from the AIPA member countries attended the meeting:
Brunei Darussalam :
Dato Paduka Haji Idris bin Haji Abas
Cambodia :
Mr Chhit Kim Yeat
Mr Nim Chantara
Indonesia :
Mr Tosari Widjaja
Constant M. Ponggawa
Laos :
Prof. Dr Boungnong Boupha
Mrs Singkham Khongsavanh
Malaysia :
Dr Tan Seng Giaw
Philippines :
Mr Victor F. Ortega
Singapore :
Mr Hawazi Daipi
Dr Lam Pin Min
Thailand :
Lieutenant Preechaphol Pongpanit
Lieutenant Colonel Kamol Prachuabmoh
Mr Boonchai Chokwatana
Vietnam :
Mr Ngo Quang Xuan
Mr Ngo Duc Manh
Mr Nguyen Van Tien
Mr Tran Du Lich
Myanmar :
Dr Tun Shin
U Htun Htun Oo
3 The Committee drafted the Joint Communiqué of the 30th AIPA General Assembly, which is attached hereto.
Thank you.
COL. APIWAN WIRIYACHAI MR ANUSART SUWANMONGKOL
CHAIRMAN RAPPORTEUR
Doc 30GA/2009/JC/01
JOINT COMMUNIQUEÉ
INTRODUCTION
1 Pursuant to the decision of the 29th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) held in Singapore on 18-24 August 2008, and in accordance with the Statutes of AIPA, the 30th General Assembly was held in Thailand on
2-8 August 2009.
2 Mr. Chai Chidchob, President of the Thai National Assembly, the AIPA President, presided over the 30th AIPA General Assembly.
3 The 31st AIPA General Assembly would be held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam from 19-25 September 2010.
WELCOME ADDRESS OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND
4. In his welcoming address, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister of Thailand, reiterated Thailand’s vision for the ASEAN Community in 2015 and beyond to be a ‘Community of Action’, a ‘Community of Connectivity’ and a ‘Community of People’.
In this connection, he reaffirmed his commitment, as the Chairman of ASEAN, to work closely with AIPA to turn this vision into reality. He also highlighted the important role of AIPA in bridging ASEAN and its peoples together and requested AIPA to continue to work towards harmonization of laws in ASEAN Member States so as to enhance the implementation of various ASEAN agreements and decisions.
WELCOME ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND
5 In his speech, Prof. Prasobsook Boondech, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand, extended his warm welcome to all parliamentarians and distinguished participants attending the 30th AIPA General Assembly at Pattaya City and to Thailand. He was pleased to learn that ASEAN had already welcomed the agreement of the ASEAN and AIPA Leaders in the 14th ASEAN Summit, held in Hua-Hin, Thailand in February 2009 to move ahead on five common fronts to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015. He cited that the outcomes resulting from the Resolutions of the First Meeting of the AIPA Caucus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in April and of the 6th AIFOCOM in Chiang Rai, Thailand in May 2009 proved that AIPA had placed an importance on establishing a permanent mechanism to progress common legislative initiatives in countering drugs menace and human trafficking. He stressed that the formal linkages with the ASEAN and the consultations between AIPA and ASEAN would make AIPA move into its fourth decade as the effective ASEAN regional inter-parliamentary assembly, reflecting the voice of ASEAN people, as well as promoting the principle of democracy, peace and prosperity in ASEAN.
OPENING ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF AIPA
6 In his opening speech, Mr Chai Chidchob, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand and President of AIPA expressed his warmest welcome to all participants of the 30th AIPA General Assembly. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between legislative and administrative divisions and referred to the informal meeting between AIPA and the ASEAN Heads of Government during the 14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am, Thailand, in February 2009 as a significant step of AIPA-ASEAN cooperation. He cited that the role and contribution of AIPA to the ASEAN Charter had been emphasized along the line with the strengthening of democracy and promotion of human rights. He expressed that economic crisis would affect the well-beings of ASEAN citizens and AIPA should raise the issue of early ratification and full implementation of both existing and new ASEAN economic agreements according to the ASEAN Economic Blueprint. Since the Terms of Reference for developing common legislative initiatives had been formulated by the First AIPA Caucus, he highly hoped for the possibility of the harmonization of laws on drug trafficking and human trafficking.
DELEGATIONS
7 The delegations from Brunei Darussalam led by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin, Speaker of the Legislative Council; Cambodia led by Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly; Indonesia led by Mr Agung Laksono, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lao People’s Democratic Republic led by Mr Thongsing Thammavong, President of the National Assembly; Malaysia led by Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Philippines, led by Mr Prospero C. Nograles, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Singapore led by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of the Parliament, Kingdom of Thailand led by Prof. Prasobsook Boondech, President of the Senate; Viet Nam led by Mrs Tong Thi Phong, Vice President of the National Assembly, attended the General Assembly.
8 Also present were Special Observer Delegation from Myanmar led by Dr Tun Shin, Deputy Attorney General. The Observer Delegations were : Australia led by Ms Annette Hurley, Senator, Canada led by Mr Joseph A. Day, Senator and Mr Bryon Wilfert, Member of the House of Commons; People’s Republic of China led by Mr Zha Peixin, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of National People’s Congress of China; Japan led by Ms Shimoda Atsukom, MP; and Russian Federation led by Mr Iskuzhin Rudik, MP.
VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
9 The General Assembly elected the following as Vice-Presidents : Brunei Darussalam, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin; Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin; Indonesia, Mr Agung Laksono; Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mr Thongsing Thammavong; Malaysia, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia; Philippines, Mr Prospero C. Nograles; Singapore, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi; Thailand, Prof. Prasobsook Boondech; and Viet Nam, Mrs Tong Thi Phong.
STATEMENTS OF HEADS OF DELEGATIONS
10 The Heads of the Delegations of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’ Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand and Myanmar delivered their respective Statements during the First Plenary Session of the General Assembly.
Brunei Darussalam
11 Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin, Speaker of the Legislative Council and Leader of the Brunei Darussalam Delegation, expressed his appreciation to the Government and people of Thailand for the generous hospitality and the excellent arrangement for the 30th AIPA General Assembly. He extended his profound gratitude to the Executive Committee and to all members of AIPA for their support for the full membership of the Brunei Darussalam Legislative Council in AIPA. He also expressed pleasure that the Informal Meeting between AIPA Representatives and ASEAN Leaders held in Hua Hin, Cha-am earlier this year, had signified the recognition given to AIPA as a partner in ASEAN and presented an opportunity for AIPA to contribute to the work of ASEAN. He expressed confidence that AIPA would work hand in hand with other relevant organizations towards achieving and fulfilling the goals and objectives of ASEAN, especially towards building up an ASEAN Community by 2015. He assured the continued support and cooperation of Brunei Darussalam to the work of AIPA.
Cambodia
12 Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Leader of the Cambodian Delegation, noted that Cambodia shared with the Legislative Institution of ASEAN Member Countries concerning the way towards the progression of AIPA-ASEAN cooperation to overcome the common regional and global financial crisis. He stated that AIPA should be an associated organization institution to ASEAN. Both secretariats of AIPA and ASEAN could keep each other timely informed about any up to date developments and work compatibly and truly esteem each other. The common goal of entire ASEAN people stipulated in the common charter would be accomplished. He cited that AIPA had been a backbone that could bring the ASEAN countries back to its accustomed situation. AIPA should seek to extend cooperation on financial matters which would be the driving force to accelerate economic growth. At the Summit of the ASEAN+3 in Beijing, it was agreed that the tremendous effect to crisis would be alleviated through duly actions and enforcement of the Chiang Mai Initiatives (CMI).
13 Following the ASEAN Charter, AIPA would serve as the roadmap leading toward the real development of ASEAN family. AIPA member countries should not overlook the incident occurred among the member countries. Each country should take part in preserving, peace, security, safety and harmonizing within the region. He also reiterated that any actions to seek possible preventive approach to the problem of instability in the region did not mean involvement in the internal affairs of any one member country. On the contrary, such action had been good to the dispute settlement and it had been better than doing nothing that might ruin our common attempt to build ONE ASEAN by the three pillars.
Indonesia
14 Mr Agung Laksono, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Leader of the Indonesian Delegation, expressed his appreciation for various sympathies and relentless supports kindly offered by AIPA related to the attack of the JW Marriot and Ritz Cartlon Hotels in Jakarta on 17th July 2009. He, therefore, called for the need to strengthen our region cooperation on combating terrorism.
15 Following the ASEAN Charter, he viewed the importance of human rights as one of the most fundamental elements of rules-based and people-oriented ASEAN Community and highly appreciated the adoption of the revised draft Terms of Reference for the Establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, which was adopted at the 42nd AMM in Phuket, and also a strong commitment from all members of ASEAN countries to promote and protect human rights for ASEAN citizens.
16 He called for supports to the good offices of the UN Secretary General or any other initiatives by ASEAN in assisting the Government of Myanmar to implement the Roadmap to Democracy, in which the concrete measures were the establishment of a favorable atmosphere for national reconciliation and the implementation of a free, transparent and credible general elections in Myanmar in 2010, in accordance with the principles and purposes enshrined in the ASEAN Charter.
17 He also cited the issue of women empowerment in political aspects. He noted that there would be an increasing percentage of women parliamentarians from 13 per cent to more than 20 per cent in between 2009 to 2014. This achievement derived from the hard work of the current women parliamentarians on the amendment of national laws governing election and political party.
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
18 Mr Thongsing Thammavong, President of the National Assembly and Leader of the Lao PDR Delegation, after congratulating the Thai National Assembly for the warm and generous hospitality, underlined that the 30th AIPA General Assembly was important. It would contribute to significant developments in the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, as well as in the establishment of the three ASEAN pillars. The Lao PDR is trying to promote economic development and to improve the living conditions of the multi-ethnic people under the challenging conditions of the world global economic crisis. In terms of coordination strengthening and partnership between ASEAN countries, he noted with interest that the Lao National Assembly supported the AIPA policies. He welcomed the admission of Brunei Darussalam in the AIPA.
Malaysia
19 Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Leader of the Malaysian Delegation, reiterated that Parliament in any given democratic country had played the role as the guardian of national order, democracy, peace, security and social development. He believed that the spirit and soul of democracy was the freedom of expression of opinion. The definition of democracy was not necessarily confined to the definition of developed nations. He mentioned that as in the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint, which promoted political development according to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, Parliamentarians should strive to develop a caring society. He urged ASEAN Parliamentarians to work together to suppress the negative elements that could undermine the spirit of regional cooperation in ASEAN against a background of globalization and growing transnational issues. He concluded that each nation in ASEAN should strengthen cooperation further.
Philippines
20 In his speech, Mr Prospero C. Nograles, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Leader of the Philippine Delegation, cited the pivotal role in enlisting public support among our peoples for the ASEAN vision of a strong and united regional community, and an authentic people-oriented ASEAN. He suggested that only through sustained dialogue could we foster mutual understanding and promote sustained collaborative engagements to effectively address national and regional concerns. He said this was the time to strengthen our intra-regional economic linkages. Our region collectively had the purchasing power of over half a billion people-even bigger than that of the European Union; and it could serve as the common market for goods and services that ASEAN countries produce. He also suggested the need for ASEAN integration and called for AIPA to establish some kind of a “Regional Bloc” because we, individually, were small and our services and goods were limited. When the ASEAN countries, however, began to integrate as a single market with a free flow of skilled labor, production, free market and free flow of capital; we would not be left behind because together we would become more attractive to foreign investors.
21 In his speech, he viewed the missile tests conducted by a regional neighbor and the possibility that it might had already developed nuclear armaments as a cause for serious concern. He stated that AIPA needed to strengthen further our systems of regional cooperation to ensure peace, stability and security in the greater Asian region.
Singapore
22 Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of the Parliament and Leader of the Singaporean Delegation, stated that over the years, the international community had begun to view ASEAN as a central figure in the political, social and economic spheres of the region. For instance, ASEAN had started to engage Asian powers in the regional security and economic architecture and that we were working towards ensuring continued peace and stability in Southeast Asia. It was evident that ASEAN’s efforts to keep an open and inclusive approach by reaching out to the major powers of the world and engaging them had borne fruit. This engagement, however, was only assured through confirmed focus on being responsive to developments around us. Furthermore, ASEAN must continue to seek out opportunities for growth, even as we responded to the immediate challenges which confronted us.
23 He also stated that ASEAN was on track towards the establishment of a single integrated community and AIPA could play an important role in advancing ASEAN’s efforts to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015. Parliamentarians constituted an important link between the ordinary men in the street and the respective governments of the region and had a duty to help make ASEAN real and tangible for all citizens. ASEAN would not work if it remained an abstract ideal that bore little relevance or impact to the daily lives of our people. For the wider international community to believe in ASEAN, ASEAN people must also understand and appreciate ASEAN’s goals and objectives. He said it fell upon ASEAN parliamentarians to bridge this gap.
Viet Nam
24 Mrs Tong Thi Phong, Vice President of the National Assembly and Leader of the Vietnamese Delegation congratulated Thailand for their excellent organization and wonderful host of AIPA-30 and Brunei Darussalam for its accession to AIPA. She stressed that since its establishment, AIPA has made great progress contributing to the development of ASEAN as it committed to exerting all efforts to build the ASEAN Community by 2015 through the harmonization of legal systems and promotion of cooperation between and among regional countries. Against the current background, she viewed that the international community in general and ASEAN Community in particular should strengthen cooperation to cope with the global financial crisis and economic downturn. Countries should further promote political dialogues and dialogue between civilizations and cultures, enhanced friendship, mutual trust and respect; implement the regional and international cooperation commitments in response to cross-border pandemics.
25 As an active member of AIPA, the National Assembly of Viet Nam had spared no efforts to contribute to the success of AIPA General Assemblies. According to the rotating mechanism of AIPA, the President of the National Assembly of Viet Nam would assume the AIPA Presidency for the period 2009-2010 and Viet Nam would host the 31st AIPA General Assembly in 2010. This would help promote good friendship and cooperation between
Viet Nam and other ASEAN parliaments and peoples. Viet Nam looked forward to the support and cooperation of AIPA member parliaments and observers to fulfill our task of Presidency in the spirit of “Solidarity, Cooperation and Development for Peace and Prosperity of the ASEAN Community”.
Thailand
26 In his speech, Prof. Prasobsook Boondech, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand and Leader of the Thai Delegation, cited that AIPA had supported ASEAN governments’ policies on collective security to address traditional and non-traditional threats, and AIPA General Assembly resolutions were adopted to thrust ASEAN toward ASEAN Political-Security Community. In order to expedite ASEAN integration, he stated that there were numbers of agreements to be ratified and hoped that AIPA would perform actively in facilitating any process to implement various measures with a view to achieve the ASEAN Community. He also reiterated the importance of raising awareness and readiness of ASEAN people in sharing a common goal to the ASEAN Community since they would be an essential force to drive and would be the ones who enjoyed the benefits from this long term efforts.
Myanmar
27 Dr Tun Shin, Deputy Attorney General and Leader of the Myanmar Delegation, expressed his gratification to the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Government and the people of Thailand for the warm hospitality accorded to the ASEAN Parliamentary Delegations and Myanmar Delegation as well as congratulated the Brunei Darussalam Delegation on its attainment of the membership of AIPA.
28 He noted the work accomplished by AIPA from the meeting of the 29th General Assembly held in Singapore to the Meeting of AIPA Caucus in Malaysia last April which had been milestones in the history of AIPA. He also stated that the Government of Myanmar had always been conscious of the emergence of a democratic nation which was the desire of entire people of Myanmar. The State Peace and Development Council giving priority to the nation and the people outlined the Seven Step Road Map for the step by step and systematic transition towards Democratization in 2003. However, at the Fourth Step, adoption of the Constitution through National Referendum had already been implemented and Myanmar would continue in expediting the implementation of the remaining three Steps, including holding a free and fair election for Hluttaws (Legislative Bodies), convening of Hluttaws attended by Hluttaw members and building of the Modern, Developed and Democratic Nation.
29 Concerning the Cyclone Nargis which struck the Ayeyawady delta and Yangon Division on 2nd and 3rd May 2008, he was pleased to share the progress and development made by the Government’s unsparing efforts in working together with the United Nations, ASEAN, INGOs and NGOs. The efforts of all parties have proved to be highly successful and Myanmar had owed her thank to all in this General Assembly of AIPA who have rendered every help. In conclusion, he hoped that the 30th AIPA General Assembly would be held in the traditional ASEAN and AIPA spirit of friendship, brotherhood and cooperation with the concept of deliberation and consensus.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS
30 The Executive Committee approved the draft resolution on the Admission of Brunei Darussalam into AIPA which was signed by the Lleaders of AIPA Ddelegations and adopted at the General Assembly. Referring to the first informal meeting during the 14th ASEAN Summit on 28 February 2009 in Cha-am, Thailand, the Executive Committee approved the scenario of the Meeting between Leaders of AIPA Delegations and AIPA Special Observers and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, as Chairman of ASEAN. The Executive Committee also approved the scenario of the Meeting between AIPA Delegations and Secretary-General of ASEAN which aimed to pave the way for AIPA and ASEAN to consolidate the AIPA-ASEAN partnership and provide the groundwork for recommendations to ASEAN Leaders on the procedures and criteria for engagement with entities associated with ASEAN.
POLITICAL MATTERS
The Role and Contributions of AIPA to the ASEAN Charter
31 The Assembly urged the implementation of the five point agreements reached at the Informal Meeting of AIPA Delegation and ASEAN Heads of States/Governments during the 14th ASEAN Summit on Saturday, 28 February 2009, in Cha-am, Thailand, and the joint formulation with ASEAN on the procedures and criteria for engagement under the ASEAN Charter on the entities associated with ASEAN. The Assembly also called upon contributions to the realization of an ASEAN Political-Security Community as a rules-based and people-oriented ASEAN Community of shared values and norms. The Assembly supported the provision of parliamentary proposals, experiences, expertise, and international parliamentary networks to ASEAN.
Strengthening of Democracy and Promotion of Human Rights
32 The Assembly agreed to share experiences and expertise and create international parliamentary networks with ASEAN to promote principles of democracy, democratic institutions, gender mainstreaming, popular participation, and voluntary electoral observations. The Assembly supported the joint measures with ASEAN to promote understanding and appreciation of political systems and the rules of law and good governance, and to implement the ASEAN Charter. The Assembly urged the follow-up on the establishment and operationalization of an ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and continued the consultations with ASEAN on this. The Assembly also underlined the protection and safeguard of ASEAN Citizens from human rights abuses and human rights violations and the rejection of fundamental freedoms, transparency, accountability and effective governance.
Interfaith Dialogue for Conflict Prevention and Resolution
33 The Assembly agreed to jointly promote with ASEAN the culture of peace and interfaith dialogue and greater interaction among various religious groups as a means to conflict prevention, confidence building, conflict management, conflict resolution and preempting sectarian violence. The Assembly urged AIPA to carry out technical cooperation with ASEAN, international organizations and international parliamentary networks to exchange expertise and experiences in maintaining peace and stability through confidence building measures and interfaith dialogues and interaction.
Global and Regional Security Situations
34 The Assembly supported the positions and actions of ASEAN, the United Nations and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on global and regional political and security issues of common concern and immediate challenges. The Assembly called upon ASEAN Member Parliaments to provide parliamentary contributions and the good offices of the international parliamentary networks of AIPA to the peaceful settlements of conflicts and post-conflict peace-building. The Assembly agreed to collaborate with ASEAN to build an ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) as a rules-based Community of shared values and norms, a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security, and a dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world through.
The First AIPA Caucus
35 The Assembly adopted the Final Report of the First AIPA Caucus, taking into account the proposal raised at the First AIPA Caucus meeting on further enhancing AIPA-ASEAN cooperation and interaction at this juncture as ASEAN moved steadily towards realizing the ASEAN Community by 2015. The Assembly also adopted the draft Terms of References (TOR) of AIPA Caucus.
ECONOMIC MATTERS
Regional Economic Integration
36 The Assembly urged AIPA Member Countries to provide the harmonization of laws to facilitate ASEAN regional integration under the AEC and the roadmap and timelines in the AEC Blueprint and ensure an early ratification and full implementation of existing and future ASEAN economic agreements and initiatives. The Assembly supported AEC actions to facilitate flow of goods through ASEAN Single Window, trade facilitation, customs integration, in line with the strategic schedule for AEC elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and standard and technical barrier to trade. The Assembly called on the facilitation of free flow of intra-ASEAN investment and foreign direct investment and contribution to freer flow of capital.
Narrowing ASEAN Development Gap
37 The Assembly agreed to provide parliamentary support to achieve the IAI Work Plan II and capacity-building assistance on legislative developments to the CLMV and mobilize support and technical cooperation from AIPA Dialogue Partners and international parliamentary sources for effective implementation of the IAI programs.
Food and Energy Security
38 The Assembly supported the policies and measures of ASEAN to ensure food and energy security for the region. The Assembly urged the development of legal and parliamentary means to further ensure ASEAN food and energy security. The Assembly also agreed to ensure early ratification of ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement as agreed upon at the 14th ASEAN Summit in April 2009 and provide legislative and parliamentary support to harmonize regulations on food safety of individual AIPA member nations, promote production of safe and healthy food by producers at all levels and strengthen food inspection and certification systems in the farms of AIPA member nations.
Global Economic and Financial Crisis
39 The Assembly called upon AIPA to provide parliamentary perspectives and recommendations to implement ASEAN measures to address global economic and financial crisis accountable to the Millennium Development Goals and the human security of the ASEAN Citizens. AIPA should provide parliamentary oversight and good governance to ensure transparent, participatory, speedy and sustainable regional economic and financial recovery. The Assembly supported ASEAN’s effort to deal with the crisis as stated in the Press Statement on the Global Economic and Financial Crisis issued at the 14th ASEAN Summit on 1 March 2009, Thailand.
Doha Development Round
40 The Assembly agreed to play an important role by encouraging ASEAN Member Countries to show a sense of urgency and political will to conclude the Doha Development Round when Ministers meet later this year. The Assembly urged members to remain committed to the G-20 pledge and APECMRT by refraining from imposing any new protectionist trade measures in response to the global economic crisis. The Assembly agreed to work with ASEAN to expedite the accession of the Lao PDR to the WTO. Special emphasis was placed on developing collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to enhance capacity-building of AIPA Member Parliaments on multilateral trade and WTO negotiations. The Assembly emphasized the contribution to the governments of the ASEAN Member Countries in their negotiations in the WTO by providing parliamentary perspectives to the issues under negotiations and offered AIPA’s parliamentary linkages with the ASEAN constituents and the international parliamentary networks to produce meaningful and beneficial negotiations. The Assembly also agreed to be partner with ASEAN in the people-to-people reach-out programs to bridge an understanding of the ASEAN Citizens of the WTO negotiations and foster their participation in formulating regional position in the WTO.
SOCIAL MATTERS
Building an ASEAN Identity
41 The Assembly agreed to promote an ASEAN Iidentity among ASEAN citizens which includes raising ASEAN awareness according to Article 35 of the ASEAN Charter. The Assembly also agreed to work closely with ASEAN by organizing people-to-people
outreach programs to bring the ASEAN Charter, “The Charter of the Peoples,”, to the doorsteps of ASEAN citizens.
Health and Social Problems Emerging from Migration
42 The Assembly resolved to work with ASEAN to improve policies and measures to address problems emerging from migration and provide legislative support for promotion of managed labor migration. This could be done through formal legal channels, by means of nationality identification, health screening before entering the labor market either at the sending or receiving countries, the issuing of health insurance to migrant workers and their family members where applicable. The Assembly also resolved to engage ASEAN External Parties and AIPA Dialogue Partners as well as international organizations and the international parliamentary networks on capacity-building activities for parliamentary officials regarding their function on legislative monitor and oversight. The Assembly proposed the establishment of AIPA Fact-Finding Committee on Migration to comprehensively address the migration issues in ASEAN.
Harmonization of Laws on Seizure and Forfeiture of Assets in Drug Criminal Case and on the Chemicals and Precursors Control
43 The Assembly agreed to contribute proactively to the realization of a Drug-Free ASEAN by 2015 and recommended the establishment of a working group to study ways and means to harmonize laws in ASEAN countries on drugs with the assistance from international organizations. The Assembly urged AIPA member countries to consider a tax exemption for products from drug related alternative development projects as an incentive to combat the drug menace. The Assembly also adopted the Report of the 6th Meeting of the AIFOCOM, 10-14 May 2009, in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Disaster Management
44 The Assembly agreed to provide parliamentary and legislative support to get the region better prepared and equipped with people-to-people assistance in disaster relief and management. The Assembly also encouraged parliamentary oversight for transparency and accountability in the handling of the issue.
Legal Cooperation to Combat the Trafficking in Persons
45 The Assembly agreed to call a meeting of the AIPA Ad-hoc Committee on Human Trafficking to work out details for its role, and also noted that ASEAN is currently developing an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons which AIPA should support and provide recommendations to ASEAN in the drafting process.
Achieving the Millennium Development Goals for Sustainable Human Security
46 The Assembly agreed to provide parliamentary and legislative support and recommendations to ASEAN to overcome financial crisis and climate change for the achievement of the MDGs.
Building a Healthy ASEAN Community
47 The Assembly recognized the needs for common and collective efforts by countries in the regions for effective responses to newly emerging pandemic diseases such as H5N1 and AH1N1. The Assembly resolved that access to basic health services as needed should be ratified as a basic human rights and should be clearly mentioned in the national policies. The Assembly recommended the AIPA member countries to continue to take concrete actions in preventing and controlling emerging communicable diseases at the national and the regional level. The Assembly agreed that AIPA should continue to provide serious parliamentary attention and recommendations on health issues and community health services in order to work together with ASEAN towards a healthy ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
The Assembly adopted all the Resolutions as per the Agenda.
48 The Assembly approved the financial report of the AIPA Secretariat for the periods, 1 July 2008 to 30 September 2008, 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008 and 1 October 2008 to 30 June 2009, and Estimated Expenditure for 1 July 2009 to 30 September 2009.
49 The Assembly approved the Bbudget Pproposal for the AIPA Secretariat for the period 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010.
50 At the end of three-year Term of Office of the Secretary General, Dato Md. Yusoff bin Md. Zain, on 30th April 2010, the Assembly requested the Philippines to nominate the Second Secretary General to be appointed by the President of AIPA. The Assembly also requested the hand over of the office of the Secretary General within three months before the current Secretary General completes his term on 30 April 2010 at the Headquarters of the AIPA Secretariat in Jakarta. The new Secretary General should begin his/her term of office at of the AIPA Secretariat on 1 May 2010.
51 The Assembly agreed to pay gratuity to Dato’ Md. Yusoff bin Md. Zain, the current AIPA Secretary General, in accordance with the Working Agreement of the Secretary General of AIPA, the sum of US$18,900.00. This should be paid partly from the US$15,000.00 donation from Brunei Darussalam and should be reflected in the budget proposal for FY 2010. The Assembly also agreed to pay gratuities to future Secretary Generals at the end of his/her term of office based on the Working Agreement.
52 Regarding the evaluation on AIPA’s participation in ASEAN activities and its financial implication, the Assembly acknowledged the paper submitted by the AIPA Secretariat on Evaluation on AIPA’s Participation in ASEAN Activities and its Financial Implications. The Assembly further acknowledged the discussion the President of AIPA had with the Chairman and the Secretary General of ASEAN at the AIPA 30th General Assembly during which the Chairman and the Secretary General of ASEAN had expressed their strong commitment to the proposals raised in the aide memoir entitled “The Key Points from the Discussion between AIPA Delegation and Secretary General of ASEAN”, dated 3 August 2009 and the Sstatement of H.E. Mr. Chai Chidchob to the Chairman of ASEAN, at the Meeting between Leaders of AIPA Delegations and Special Observers during the 30th AIPA General Assembly. The Assembly recommended AIPA to implement the recommendations in all of the abovementioned aforesaid documents.
53 The Vietn Namese Delegation informed the meeting that the 31st General Assembly would be held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam from 19 to 25 September 2010.
WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS OF AIPA (WAIPA)
Women in Economic Development and Poverty Reduction
54 The Assembly called for cooperation among ASEAN Member Countries in developing programmes for equal access to financial services and credit for the poor and disadvantaged women including the promotion of initiatives for the advancement of women through their participation as leaders in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives which shall strengthen all efforts made to achieve higher goals beyond the MDGs especially to increase the proportion of women in local, national parliaments, and all levels of administrative authorities in the civil service through the improvement of legislation and administration to give women full and equal access to those positions.
The Roles of Women in Building an ASEAN Community
55 The Assembly recognized that the ASEAN Community which comprises three pillars, namely an ASEAN Political-Security Community, an ASEAN Economic Community and an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, should be established by the year 2015 with ASEAN Charter as the guideline. The Assembly acknowledged the role of women under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural pillar and the people as the center of an ASEAN Community and women could contribute to constructive and active participation in building an ASEAN Community. The Assembly also emphasized that the participation of the ASEAN citizens and the promotion of greater awareness of an ASEAN identity was imperative for building the ASEAN Community.
Strengthening Gender Equality and the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children
56 The Assembly supported regional and international cooperation with a view to addressing the protection of the rights of women and cChildren as appropriate means to consolidate the establishment of an ASEAN Community. The Assembly encouraged the ASEAN Member Parliaments to adopt laws, strategies, national policies and programs on gender equality for the advancement of women and children as well as the mobilization of parliaments to be a key mechanism to promote gender equality and ensure that the rights of women and children are undertaken through legislative procedures. The Assembly stressed the need for women parliamentarians to play more active roles in following up all implementations of international agreement in line with the MDGs. The Assembly supported all efforts made for the achievement of the higher goals of the MDGs and urged the women parliamentarians to play vital roles in supporting the enhancement of parliamentary actions on this matter.
The Empowerment and Contribution of Women in Politics
57 The Assembly requested ASEAN Member States to set up activities or programs at national and regional levels for the benefit of women’s participation in politics, to share similar situations and challenges with neighboring countries and to encourage coordination and participation between men and women in politics to promote balanced gender equality and ensure respect for the rights of women in line with the Universal Declaration of Democracy. The Assembly urged ASEAN Member States to introduce and strengthen legislation to empower women and contribution of women in politics. The Assembly also supported all initiatives of ASEAN for the promotion of women participation in politics to follow up the resolutions and recommendations of the United Nations and the development of women’s skills and knowledge in politics such as public speaking and debate skills, policy and strategy formulation, and election campaigns, to promote women’s participation in politics.
DIALOGUES WITH OBSERVERS COUNTRIES
58 The Assembly, through its dialogue panels, conducted separate meetings with Observers countries, namely Australia, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Japan and Russian Federation.
31st AIPA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
59 The General Assembly accepted the kind offer of Viet Nam to host the 31st General Assembly on 19 – 25 September 2010 in Ha Noi.
APPRECIATION TO HOST COUNTRY
60 The Delegations attending the Assembly expressed their sincere appreciation to the Government and Parliament of Thailand as well as the people of Thailand for their warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for the 30th AIPA General Assembly.
ASEAN SPIRIT
61 The 30th AIPA General Assembly was held in traditional ASEAN spirit of friendship, brotherhood and cooperation, in accordance with the concept of ‘musyawarah’ (deliberation) and ‘muafakat’ (consensus).